The East New Britain provincial fisheries sector has been commended for partnering with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) to deliver vital training to empower and equip its human resources for the marine industry.
NFA provincial support manager Bolton Towok highlighted this during the graduation of 20 young men and women from a 10 weeks Competency Fishing Operations Level One training at Rabaul Hotel on Friday (Nov 4). The training was conducted by the National Fisheries College.
He said as ENB prepares for the upcoming Rabaul Tuna Terminal project which will have ripple effects, it will need a skilled workforce in the marine industry. He applauded the sector’s vision to strategize and partner with NFA to train skilled people thus providing job opportunities.
Mr Towok said NFA has not delivered similar trainings in the other provinces due to capacity issues and this is the hindrance they face when trying to implement the MOA for fisheries development with provinces.
“But I would like to thank ENB Fisheries because they have the drive to facilitate and create these initiatives. They are already knocking at our door with their initiatives.”
“NFA is ready to partner with provinces, we have an obligation to the MOA but we need provinces to go one step further with their performance and initiatives, we cannot wait for anybody,” Mr Towok said.
“When provinces take ownership and partner with NFA, they are serious about developing human resources or any other projects that can be implemented as they are part of NFA’s Fisheries Strategic Plan (FSP) 2021-2030.”
When congratulating the graduates, he said they were fortunate to receive such training as it is a first for PNG and is part of the capacity building program as per NFA’s refocus on provincial support
The trainees from two TVET institutions- Milamila and Woolnough Vocational schools are eligible to attend the next level of trainings to further enhance their skills.